Jobs & Careers

Straight advice for apprentices

The National Apprenticeship Service today launched a partnership with horsesmouth.co.uk to provide an informal online mentoring service for apprentices.

The new partnership will allow apprentices, and those interested in Apprenticeships, to receive informal one-to-one advice and support from existing and former apprentices in a safe, moderated
online environment. It has been developed to provide an alternative support service for people who may lack role models or mentors, or feel less confident about accessing formal information sites.

Simon Waugh, Chief Executive at the National Apprenticeship Service, said the new service was a win win for people seeking advice on Apprenticeships and those who wanted to share their expertise.

“We are delighted to be able to offer this online mentoring and coaching facility - for apprentices, by apprentices. It provides a safe and secure platform for people who want to learn more about
Apprenticeships and talk to someone who has ‘been there and done that’.” “So far we have signed up 27 mentors, with many more to come.”

Horsesmouth is a free to use social networking site for informal mentoring. It connects people seeking support and guidance on a wide range of issues - education, career, work, family and health -
with others who are willing to give and share from the benefit of their own experiences. It is open to anyone over 16 and users of the site are anonymous.

This unique partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service will mean that people can get tailored advice and support. Used in conjunction with the range of careers information and guidance
services available, the initiative will help people make better informed career decisions by tapping into the knowledge of those that understand their situation. MT Rainey, founder of Horsesmouth,
said: “Our partnership with the National Apprenticeship Service is an exciting opportunity to demonstrate how organisations can outreach to the growing community of Horsesmouth users and provide
specialist support. It allows us to highlight Apprenticeships to many thousands of people who may not otherwise engage with this option or with formal sources of information.”

“It also allows the National Apprenticeship Service to use the goodwill and enthusiasm of successful apprentices as online mentors.” For further information visit the National Apprenticeship
Service Horsesmouth homepage at http://www.horsesmouth.co.uk/publisha.content/partners/partner_details.publisha?partnerid=33 or visit the website at www.apprenticeships.org.uk.